Tile Talk: Materials, Durability and Tile Basics

Every room specific guide on this site eventually points back to the same underlying questions. What is the tile actually made of? How durable is it really, and what does that mean in practice? What does the backing or the format have to do with how well an installation holds up? Tile Talk is where we answer those cross cutting questions once, in plain language, rather than re-explaining them on every individual room guide. If you want to understand tile itself before deciding where to put it, this is the place to start.

Understanding Tile Durability

Durability is the single most misunderstood spec in tile shopping, since it is not one number but a combination of several different ratings that mean different things. Our complete guide to what tile durability actually means breaks down PEI rating, water absorption, breaking strength and the other factors that determine whether a tile is right for a high traffic floor or better suited to a low traffic wall.

Tile Materials Explained

Tile is not one material, it is a family of genuinely different products with different manufacturing processes, performance characteristics and ideal applications. These guides cover the specific materials we carry in plain, practical terms.

Ceramic Tile

Ceramic remains one of the most widely used tile materials for good reason, affordable, versatile and well suited to a wide range of residential applications. Our complete guide to why choose ceramic tile covers exactly where it performs best and where a different material makes more sense.

Glass Tile

Glass tile brings a reflective, luminous quality no other material fully replicates, though it comes with its own specific installation and care considerations. Our guide to glass tile benefits and options covers when glass is the right call and what to know before specifying it.

Pebble Tile

Pebble tile occupies a genuinely unique category, natural stone pebbles set on a mesh backing, used most often for shower floors and accent surfaces where texture and slip resistance both matter. Our complete overview of pebble tile covers what it actually is, how it performs, and where it works best.

Tile Format and Finish

Beyond material, the format and finish of a tile change both how it looks and how it installs. These two factors get less attention than material choice, but they matter just as much to the final result.

Large Format Tile

Large format tile has become one of the defining trends in contemporary tile design, fewer grout lines, a more seamless surface, and a genuinely different installation process than smaller tile requires. Our guide to why use large format tile covers the design, functional and value considerations behind this growing category.

High Gloss Tile

A glossy finish changes how a tile reflects light and reads in a room, and it carries specific care and slip resistance considerations worth understanding before you specify it. Our guide to high gloss tile for stylish spaces covers where this finish performs best.

Installation Fundamentals

Even the right tile, in the right material and format, depends on a correctly executed installation underneath it. These guides cover the foundational installation knowledge that applies across nearly every tile project.

Tile Backing and Substrate

The backing behind your tile, whether cement board, a membrane system or another substrate, has more influence on long term installation success than most homeowners realize. Our guide to the role of tile backing covers why this often invisible layer matters so much.

Backsplash Installation

A backsplash is one of the most common DIY and professional tile projects, and our complete tile backsplash installation guide covers the process end to end. If you already know the pattern you want, browse our backsplash pattern library for layout specific instructions, including offset brick and subway herringbone.

Tile Talk: Materials, Durability and Tile Basics

Neat Things to do in Your Home with Copper Mosaic Tiles

Apr 28, 2017 Mike Belk

The Subway Tile Cover Up

Apr 14, 2017 Mike Belk

Things You Should Know About Ceramic Tile

Jan 12, 2017 Mike Belk

6 reasons for setting the BAR high for Tile

Oct 21, 2016 Mike Belk

Did you know Subway Tiles endure for a Timeless Look?

Sep 7, 2016 Mike Belk

Art in Tiles - Metal Mosaic Tile

Jun 2, 2016 Mike Belk

Recycled Glass Tiles and Its Environmental Benefits

Feb 13, 2016 Mike Belk

Make it Blue- Tile Selection for your Household

Aug 10, 2015 BELK Tile

Metal Tile Inserts

Jul 6, 2015 BELK Tile

Stunning Stained Glass Tile for Your Home Decor

May 15, 2014 Mike Belk

Stone Tile Mosaics – Unique Additions to Your Space

Apr 4, 2014 Michael Belk

Frequently Asked Questions About Tile Materials and Durability

What does PEI rating mean and why does it matter?

PEI rating measures a glazed tile's resistance to surface abrasion on a scale of 1 to 5, with higher numbers indicating greater resistance to wear from foot traffic. A PEI rating of 3 or higher is generally recommended for residential floors, while ratings of 1 or 2 are better suited to walls or very low traffic applications. This rating is one part of overall durability, alongside water absorption and breaking strength, and our tile durability guide covers how these factors work together.

Is ceramic or glass tile more durable?

Ceramic is generally more impact and scratch resistant than glass, which makes it the more practical choice for floors and high traffic surfaces. Glass tile is more commonly used on walls, backsplashes and accent areas where its reflective quality matters more than impact resistance, and where it is less exposed to the kind of contact that could chip or scratch it.

Does large format tile cost more to install than smaller tile?

Often yes, since large format tile typically requires a flatter substrate, a medium bed mortar rather than standard thinset, and more careful handling during setting given the size and weight of each piece. The tradeoff is fewer total tiles and fewer grout lines to clean and maintain over the life of the installation, which some homeowners find offsets the higher installation cost over time.

What is tile backing and do I need to think about it?

Tile backing refers to the substrate installed behind or beneath the tile itself, commonly cement board, a foam waterproofing board, or a sheet membrane system depending on the application. Yes, this matters considerably, since an improperly prepared or incompatible backing is one of the most common causes of tile failure, cracking, loosening, water intrusion, regardless of how good the tile itself is. Our tile backing guide covers this in more depth.

What is pebble tile used for?

Pebble tile, made from natural stone pebbles set on a flexible mesh backing, is most commonly used on shower floors, where its irregular surface provides excellent slip resistance, and as an accent material on walls or borders where its natural texture stands out against smoother surrounding tile. It does require sealing, like most natural stone, and the irregular surface can feel different underfoot than flat tile, which is worth experiencing with a sample before committing to a full shower floor.